General Reports

[Rick Rock]

2022 is probably right. But maybe not even then.

I would remind those waiting for a vaccine that there is already vaccine for influenza. But despite this tens of thousands die from it every year. Because vaccines for viruses are difficult to make. They're even more difficult to distribute.

The chief scientist of WHO just said:

If some of the vaccines in human clinical trials are effective, they should be available sometime next year.

Very optimistically, the timeline for the first doses would be the first half of 2021.

It is important to note that even with a successful vaccine, there will be a limited number of doses initially. We will not have eight or ten billion doses available to be able to vaccinate the whole world. We might have a few hundred million doses, meaning we would have to prioritize some sections of the population - such as front-line workers, health workers, social care workers and others who are at very high risk.

Thereafter, manufacturing can be scaled up, and more vaccine candidates tested. And hopefully, by 2022, we will be in a position to have many more vaccines available.

So there you go.

Small pox is as of yet the only virus that was ever eradicated by vaccine. It took 15 years.

[Member #4698]

If prices for girls were THE SAME everywhere which cities / countries would you be visiting the most to hobby? Based on girl's looks, service, attitude and the overall ease of hobbying.

Mine would be:

1. Dusseldorf / Frankfurt / Berlin.
2. Las Vegas
3. Switzerland
4. Tokyo / Osaka.
5. Bangkok / Pattaya.

Mine would be the same usual suspects as always: 1. Bangkok / Pattaya, 2. Jakarta, 3. Sao Paulo, 4. Macau, 5. Manila. But if money were absolutely no object and I could hire a qualified local interpreter / facilitator who knew what he was doing and could guarantee my access into all the clubs and high class bordellos, then Tokyo / Osaka would jump to the head of my list followed by Moscow and Kiev maybe. I do like the look of various Russian and Ukrainian sex models I see on the internet. 555.

But generally I am happy with my top 5 and look forward to being there as soon as possible. It is interesting to note that of my top 5 only BKK and Pattaya are up and running if only partially so. The rest of the destinations are still in shut down mode although I am sure you can find girls on the social media there. But there is no going out and having a good time on the town except in BKK / Pat (maybe Vegas). I envy you fuckin' assholes who are lucky enough to be in LOS at the present moment in history. Enjoy. You are in a unique position.

[MichaelSamuel]

Really think thailand can hold out on tourists until 2022? Sure I understand the sentiment toward the american dumpster fire that trump has started, but reality being that with way things are going America will keep seeding the rest of world so if you open up to anyone you are risking it coming in. Sure I don't want to believe I will be locked out until 2022 so I am not impartial, but I also just can't Thailand, or even most counties, for a vaccine, I just think they will give up before then.

It may be a lot of money to some of us but not for others. You're American? You may be able to get a flight out of USA but likely won't be able to get in to Thailand before at least 2022 unless a proven vaccine is available.

[Banana Boi]

If prices for girls were THE SAME everywhere which cities / countries would you be visiting the most to hobby? Based on girl's looks, service, attitude and the overall ease of hobbying.

I personally haven't included many cities like Prague / Budapest / London / Montreal / Toronto, etc with escorts only because imo not being able to see the girl before she appears at the door is not ease of hobbying.

Mine would be:

1. Dusseldorf / Frankfurt / Berlin.
2. Las Vegas
3. Switzerland
4. Tokyo / Osaka.
5. Bangkok / Pattaya.

[EihTooms]

It may be a lot of money to some of us but not for others. You're American? You may be able to get a flight out of USA but likely won't be able to get in to Thailand before at least 2022 unless a proven vaccine is available.

Or, as Trump just referred to this country reading from his script soon after blasting Biden for supposedly being cognitively impaired; "Thigh-land"

And, no, this was one of the rare times he wasn't trying to be coarsely funny, dismissive, denigrating or insulting to a USA ally.

At least, I don't think he was.

[Banana Boi]

Why comment on #16? No one is stupid enough to do that, but what about some of the more reasonable one around 35 k.

I might be desperate enough to do that one. Is anyone considering some of the more reasonable ones?

My question is how to get a flight out of America?

It may be a lot of money to some of us but not for others. You're American? You may be able to get a flight out of USA but likely won't be able to get in to Thailand before at least 2022 unless a proven vaccine is available.

[The Creaper]

Still interested in Thailand? Here's a list of the 34 selected hotels for "alternative quarantine". Hotel #16 is 500 k baht (16,000 USD) for 14 days! Don't forget to add hospital expenses for testing, etc.

Why comment on #16? No one is stupid enough to do that, but what about some of the more reasonable one around 35 k.

I might be desperate enough to do that one. Is anyone considering some of the more reasonable ones?

My question is how to get a flight out of America?

[GettingFedUp]

Still interested in Thailand? Here's a list of the 34 selected hotels for "alternative quarantine". Hotel #16 is 500 k baht (16,000 USD) for 14 days! Don't forget to add hospital expenses for testing, etc.

The ASQ charge includes testing. If you test positive you will be hospitalised but of course you have to be in possession of USD 100,000 of insurance to cover this.

Update on the Elite Visa. The press have been saying it is allowed entry but the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand announcement on 3 August (https://www.caat.or.th/th/archives/52448) does not include it. The only changes seem to be foreigners with Certificates of Residence, Work Permit holders can now bring family in and a tweak to the terms to allow migrant labour from neighbouring countries in.

If anyone is considering the Elite Visa, be very careful by checking with the Embassy or Consulate that you'll be able to get a certificate of entry before you proceed. Thai Elite may be rather more interested in hitting sales targets than giving realistic guidance. THB 500 k to 2 million is quite a lot to be out of pocket if you cannot use the thing.

[Banana Boi]

Still interested in Thailand? Here's a list of the 34 selected hotels for "alternative quarantine". Hotel #16 is 500 k baht (16,000 USD) for 14 days! Don't forget to add hospital expenses for testing, etc.

1. Movenpick Wellness Hotel BDMS Resort Bangkok with 250 rooms in conjunction with the hospital. Bangkok Deluxe occupancy rate is 60,300 baht / person / 14 days while Wellness Suites 68,700 baht / person / 14 days.

2. Cubic Hotel Sukhumvit, 79 rooms with Sukhumvit Hospital The occupancy rate is 32,000 baht / person / 14 days.

3. The Idle Residence, 125 rooms with Samitivej Hospital Junior suite occupancy rate is 60,000 baht / person / 14 days, Deluxe 55,000 baht / person / 14 days and superior 50,000 baht / person / 14 days.

4. Grand Richmond Hotel with 250 rooms in collaboration with Vibhavadi Hospital The accommodation rate is 55,000 baht / person / 14 days.

5. Royal Benja Hotel, there are 194 rooms shared with Sukhumvit Hospital. Rates for Deluxe Room City View 45,000 baht / person / 14 days.

6. Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, 118 rooms in combination with Bamrung Hospital Deluxe Room 92,000 baht / person / 14 days and Garden Terrace Room with a private balcony 144,000 baht / person / 14 days.

7. Grand Center Point Sukhumvit 55 Hotel, 198 rooms in collaboration with Sukhumvit Hospital Signature Deluxe 62,000 baht / person / 14 days, Corner Suite 55,000 baht / person / 14 days and Family Suite125,000 baht / person / 14 days.

8. Amara Bangkok hotel, 56 rooms with the Sukhumvit Hospital. Executive Room 50,000 baht / person / 14 days, Executive Connecting Room 59,000 baht / person / 14 days and Club 10 Room 99,000 baht / person / 14 days.

9. The Kinn Hotel, Bangkok, 61 rooms together with Wiparam Hospital Deluxe Room 30,000 baht / person / 14 days (family package 55,000 baht), executive room 35,000 baht / person / 14 days (family package 65,000 baht), junior room 40,000 baht / person / 14 Days (Family Package 85,000 Baht) and Suite Room 35,000 Baht / Person / 14 Days (Family Package 100,000 Baht).

10. Siam Mandarina Hotel, 120 rooms in partnership with Chularat 9 Airport, rate Non Smoking fee 42,000 baht / person / 14 days and Smoking 52,000 baht / person / 14 days.

11. Two 3 hotels in 50 rooms with Vibhavadi Hospital Superior Room 45,000 baht / person / 14 days and Executive Room 75,000 baht / person / 14 days.

12.189 Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort hotels together with Bang Pakok Hospital 9 International Deluxe Room 73,000 baht / person / 14 days, Deluxe River View Room 75,000 baht / person / 14 days, Deluxe River Front Room 77,000 baht / person / 14 days and Junior Suite Room 79,000 baht / person / 14 days.

13. Tango Hotel, 30 rooms shared with Vibhavadi Hospital Rates for Superior Room 35,000 baht / person / 14 days and Deluxe Room 39,000 baht / person / 14 days.

14. Amari Buri Ram Hotel, 30 rooms in collaboration with TBA Hospital, Deluxe Room Pool View (36 sqm.) 54,500 baht / person / 15 days, Deluxe Room Pool Terrace (36 sqm.) 57,000 baht / person / 15 days and Grand Deluxe Room (40 sqm.) 60,000 baht / person / 15 days.

15. Anantara Mai Khao Hotel, Phuket, amount 36 villas together with Bangkok Phuket Hospital Occupancy rate of 220,000 baht / person / 15 days in the Pool Villa and 650,000 baht / 4 persons in the Two Bedroom Pool Villa for 4 people / 15 days.

16. Tri Sala Phuket Hotel, in collaboration with Bangkok Phuket Hospital Ocean View Pool Junior Suite 220,000 baht / 1 person / 14 days, Ocean View Pool Junior Suite 375,000 baht / 2 persons / 14 days and Ocean View Pool Junior Suite 500,000 baht / 3 persons / 14 days.

17. Grand Hotel Center Point Terminal 21,160 rooms in collaboration with Bumrungrad Hospital Rates for Deluxe Premium Room (40 sqm.) 80,000 baht / person / 16 days and Grand Suite Room (65 sqm.) 95,000 baht / person / 16 days.

18. O2 Luxury Hotel, 152 rooms in conjunction with the hospital. Chularat 3 Inter Deluxe Room Rate (40 sqm.) 38,000 baht / person / 15 days.

19. Tree Sukhumvit Hotel, 30 rooms, together with Vejthani Hospital Junior Suite Room with balcony (45 sqm.) 40,000 baht / person / 16 days.

20. The Princeton Hotel, Bangkok, 70 rooms shared with Vibhavadi Hospital Superior Room (27 sqm.) 29,000 baht / person / 16 days, Deluxe Room (40 sqm.) 32,000 baht / person / 16 days, Executive Room (45 sqm.) 35,000 baht / person / 16 days and Family Suites (63 sqm.) 40,000 baht / person / 16 days.

21. Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel, 76 rooms shared with World Medical Hospital Superior Room (30 sqm.) 57,000 baht / person / 16 days.

22. Solaria Nishitetsu Bangkok Hotel 200 rooms In conjunction with Samitivej Hospital, Standard Room 60,000 baht / person / 16 days, Deluxe Room 70,000 baht / person / 16 days, Grand Deluxe Room 80,000 baht / person / 16 days and Solaria Room 100,000 baht / person / 16 days.

23. Anantara Phuket Suites and Villas Hotel, 100 rooms in partnership with Bangkok Phuket Hospital Occupancy One Bedroom Suite 99,500 baht / 1 adult / 16 days, One Bedroom Suite 155,000 baht / 2 adults / 16 days, One Bedroom Suite 200,000 baht / 2 adults + 1 child / 16 days, Two Bedroom Suite 185,000 baht / 2 adults / 16 days, Two Bedroom Suite 240,000 baht / 3 adults / 16 days and Two Bedroom Suite 295,000 baht / 1 adult / 16 days.

24. The Salil Hotel, Sukhumvit 57,70 rooms together with Samitivej Hospital Deluxe Suite (35 sqm.) 55,000 baht / person / 16 days and The Living Suite (45 sqm.) 65,000 baht / person / 16 days.

25. The Salil Hotel, Thonglor, 90 rooms in conjunction with Samitivej Hospital Rates for Superior Room (25 sqm.) 40,000 baht / person / 16 days and Deluxe Room (35 sqm.) 45,000 baht / person / 16 days.

26. Mytrium Hotel Sukhumvit 18 with 70 rooms shared with the hospital. Bumrungrad Studio Superior (34 sqm.) 58,000 baht / person / 16 days, One-Bedroom Deluxe (46 sqm.) 68,000 baht / person / 16 days, One-Bedroom Grand Deluxe (54 sqm.) 75,000 baht / person / 16 days and Two-Bedroom Suite (67 sqm.) 115,000 baht / person / 16 days.

27. Hotel ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit, 60 rooms together with Samitivej Hospital Standard Room Rates (23-26 sqm.) 48,000 Baht / Person / 15 Days.

28. Hotel Mezzanine 200 rooms in conjunction with Sinphat Srinakarin Hospital Deluxe Room (32 sqm.) 33,000 Baht / Person / 15 days, Luxury Room (38 sqm.) 38,000 baht / person / 15 days, Executive Room (54 sqm.) 45,000 baht / person / 15 days and Family Site Room (90 sqm.) 85,000 baht / person / 15 days.

29. Royal Rattanakosin Hotel, 137 rooms with Piyavate Hospital Grand Deluxe Room 35,000 baht / person / 16 days (smoking room + 5,000 baht).

30. Conrad Bangkok Hotel, 100 rooms with Bumrungrad Hospital International Rates for Deluxe Room (41 sqm.) Starting at 137,000 baht / person / 16 days.

31. Royal Suite Hotel, 69 rooms together with Bangkok Hospital Rates for a Deluxe Room (45 sqm.) 44,000 baht / person / 16 days, One Bedroom Suite (60 sqm.) 52,000 baht / person / 16 days, Two Bedroom Suite (104 sqm.) 89,000 baht / 2 people / 16 days And Three Bedroom Suite (136 sqm.) 120,000 baht / 3 persons / 16 days.

32. Amanta Hotel and Residence, 60 rooms in association with Sukhumvit Hospital 1 Bedroom Deluxe (52 sqm.) 59,000 baht / person / 16 days, 1 Bedroom Executive (81 sqm.) 63,000 baht / person / 16 days, 2 Bedroom Deluxe (88 sqm.) 118,000 baht / 2 people / 16 Day, 2 Bedroom Executive (101 sqm.) 125,000 baht / 2 persons / 16 days and 3 Bedroom Deluxe (169 sqm.) 173,000 baht / 2 persons / 16 days. In addition, the additional expenses for 37,740 baht.

33. Ozone Hotel At Sam Yan, 40 rooms together with Wiparam-Chai Prakan Hospital Rates for Superior Room 35,000 baht / person, Deluxe Room 36,500 baht / person and Junior Suite 39,000 baht / person.

34. Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, 23 rooms in combination with BNH Hospital The occupancy rate of Krungthep Deluxe Balcony Room (44 sqm.) 125,000 baht / person / 16 days and Krungthep Deluxe Suite (84 sqm.) 200,000 baht / person / 16 days.

[Chacal60]

Which country has the more stable economy, Thailand or Colombia?

A question worthy of long talk over many cold ones. Both are reasonably "middle income" - Colombia weathered a blistering internal war that raged for decades. But I think Thailand might have the slight edge. Unless tourism is more important to the GDP in Thailand than my non-scientific judgement assumes.

Corruption is rampant in both, but having never lived in Colombia I'm only guessing that the payoff game is slightly more predictable (and less dangerous) in the LOS than it is in Shakiralandia.

[Turgid]

Which country has the more stable economy, Thailand or Colombia?

[EihTooms]

...
I heard September 26 is (D)-Day for those on Visa Amnesty.

Not to hold out false hope for those on the outside trying to get in on a normal short term visa, but I wouldn't be surprised if that date is the "Out With The Old, In With The New" dividing line Thailand has set and will fairly soon thereafter begin allowing international flights of family members, property owners, rental lease holders, tourists, visitors, business travelers, etc back in but with strict quarantine and financial responsibility requirements.

They will have somewhat successfully driven out most of the visa extension manipulators by then. They had already done much to drive out anyone on an O-A Non Immigrant (retirement) type visas that didn't really qualify for it financially or otherwise. After that, there would be no real reason for them not to start allowing fresh new paying customers back into the country as long as they really did pass the strict new requirements except for spite against certain countries.

Not saying it will be easy to enter Thailand on a normal short term visa soon after that date. But I would look for it to be doable with some measure of inconvenience and not the impossible-to-solve puzzle it appears to be now. Of couse, it will depend on available flights. But if and when there are any, I suspect Thailand will accept visitors who do indeed show no signs of the virus, are willing to endure quarrantine and can show they are capable of dealing with any medical issues on their own dime.

Just a hunch.

[LittleBigMan]

In normal times it's meant for those who are under 50 and do not quality for an OA Retirement Visa. Otherwise there is no other reason to get a Thai Elite Visa. However, with the possibility of being allowed to enter Thailand when you otherwise are unable to enter Thailand it puts a new twist on why people would obtain the Elite Visa.

Imagine if you happened to be out of Thailand when the lockdown began. Happened to a friend of mine on an OA Visa and he's still not back in Thailand.

If there are other ways for people under 50 to stay in Thailand as an expat I'm all ears. No, I am not teaching English in Buriram or marrying a Thai girl just to get in to a country.

I heard September 26 is the-Day for those on Visa Amnesty.

Don't get me wrong I'm not against getting an Elite never say never. Now if I was actually stuck outside Thailand and needed to get in I might shell out the 500,000 but as I noted the requirement is no different than for someone on the list "Marriage" going through the hoops are the same. As for the list if the Elite allowed me to just show a test cleared when I arrive I would gladly take another and even quarantine but otherwise there is no benefit to paying that amount. Pre-Covid there isn't any special benefit and now Post I still don't.

If I was stuck outside and I told my wife and son it would cost me that amount 100% they would tell me to stay put and just make that amount available at their Thai accounts. I could clearly come up with a number of creative options but it would take time to get the necessary documents, testing and stories straight but once in even if I was under 50 there are a number of illegal ways to stay as long as you like if one is willing to shell out that amount of money for an Elite one shouldn't have to wait in line?

The immigration people are missing their red envelop if one wants to stay they can stay even after September.

[GettingFedUp]

If there are other ways for people under 50 to stay in Thailand as an expat I'm all ears.

Staying is (or was) possible. See below. Getting in, not at the moment.

I heard September 26 is the-Day for those on Visa Amnesty.

I'm guessing that the spell "correction" on here has changed "DDay" to the-Day.

26th September is "get out or overstay day" for people haven't got things straight by then. By "straight" I mean been granted an extension by Immigration or a shiny new visa of a category which will allow them to remain. The criteria for obtaining an extension are not specified although a letter from one's embassy stating that return home is not possible seems to be the minimum, although the "discretion of local Immigration Officials" may mean a brown envelope will suffice (or generally the use of an agency to provide the envelope). I have only seen the Australian Embassy announcing that they will issue such a letter to their citizens.

I don't think there are that many genuinely stranded visitors left. There have been outbound flights regularly pretty much throughout to Europe, Middle East and East Asia with onward connections to North America and Oceania. Also repatriation flights for Russians.

The people who face the biggest issue are those who have in the past played the system a bit. Quite a few didn't get the non-Imm OA or O (with 12 month extension for retirement) but chose the 12 month O (Tourist) visa which limits them to 90 days per entry. The choice would have been either because they don't meet the age criteria, can't or won't meet the financial criteria (income or money in a Thai bank account) or in the case of the OA they wouldn't get a clean criminal record check.

They used to go on a trip out of the country every 3 months to stamp out and stamp back in renewing their 90 days, with an annual trip to an overseas Thai Embassy or Consulate to renew. This visa run is no longer possible. Even if they are willing and able to go down the OA visa route they have a problem because the funds have to be in place for at least 2 months before application (and 3 months before renewal).

[Banana Boi]

When the Elite Visa was purposed in 2013? I checked into it and I didn't have to read far to say to myself " who the fuck came up with this stupid shit to actually think anyone with any sense would shell out the money to get one " I've seen and met a lot of people living who can't tie their shoes and need and use people to get things done for them I also know this isn't inclusive of Thailand ex-pats living here.

In normal times it's meant for those who are under 50 and do not quality for an OA Retirement Visa. Otherwise there is no other reason to get a Thai Elite Visa. However, with the possibility of being allowed to enter Thailand when you otherwise are unable to enter Thailand it puts a new twist on why people would obtain the Elite Visa.

Imagine if you happened to be out of Thailand when the lockdown began. Happened to a friend of mine on an OA Visa and he's still not back in Thailand.

If there are other ways for people under 50 to stay in Thailand as an expat I'm all ears. No, I am not teaching English in Buriram or marrying a Thai girl just to get in to a country.

I heard September 26 is the-Day for those on Visa Amnesty.